There is no clear borderline between a small-scale and a middle-scale food producer, however, in the US, as a small-scale farm is considered those with gross cash farm income less than $350,000[11] , whereas the EU says factors such as utilised agricultural area (UAA), the amount of labour input, the level of self-consumption and the economic size of the farm should be considered in order to define a small-scale farm[12] .
Small-scale food production is driven by consumers preferences for better, fresher and more quality products, as well as by closer contact with the producer [13][14] ). Farmer's markets are the traditional way of retailing food, and are seen as key drivers for the trend of more authentic food produced by small-scale entrepreneurs. The benefits farmers' markets offer to the small-scale food producers are the better economic returns, as the retailers or supermarkets are bypassed[15] .
Challenges related to small-scale food producers
The challenges small-scale food producers face are to some extent the fundamentals of their production. The video below[16] explains that small-scale farmers, especially in the developing world, does not afford modern farming inputs and thus can the whole harvest be destroyed. Further, as a consequence of the economic globalization, access to land becomes harder as international businesses are buying up small-scale farmers land[17] .
Critique
Although small-scale farmers are sometimes criticized for being less productive than large-scale, this may be if looking at total output from a single crop, but not the total output per say according to one study[18] . Another study indicates that no matter the size of the food producers, the outcomes are dependent on the actors and their agendas[19] . Thereby, small-scale food producers are not necessarily any better than large-scale[20] . The "local trap", meaning the believe that locally produced food is automatically better, should however be avoided[21] .
Relation to Sustainable Development Goals
By supporting small-scale food producers, their income increase and thereby also their ability to influence on decision-making, and thus is this concept related to the UN's SDG Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
As one of the targets in the UN's SDG goal 8 is to "encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises", the connection between supporting small-scale food producers and this goal is clear.
Small-scale food production, as it is seen as more sustainable than mass production[22] , is as well related to Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, specifically to the targets "efficient use of natural resources", "reduce food losses along production and supply chains", "achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals" and "promote public procurement practices that are sustainable".
Innovations
Innovations in small-scale food production, specifically on-farm innovations, are often unrecognized[23] . However, farmers' innovation exist - including usage of traditional knowledge to changing conditions in order to get through emerging new problems, introduction of new varieties/species, all kind of adaptation to climate change and usage of modern technology in various contexts[24] .
The video below [25] shows an example of how innovations in terms of different species turns into practice.
In food processing, companies tend to get more attention towards their innovations. One such company is the Finnish Gold&Green, who in 2015 launched a vegan protein product as a substitute to meat, plant or seafood protein called pulled oat[26] . This product has gained popularity both domestically and abroad[27] .
Examples from Finland
Stockmann, a Finnish retailer, offers various products such as pastry, bread, vegetables, herbs and cheeses from small-scale food producers[28] . As well does the two biggest food retailers in Finland[29] , Kesko and S Group[30][31] . Kesko for example, does no longer require a small-scale producer to be able to offer a large quantity of products for all of their stores, but can instead deliver a limited quantity for a smaller amount of stores[32] .
An example of a farmers' market in Finland is REKO, a Facebook based platform established in 2013 for consumers to meet small-scale producers, and purchase their products [33] . This has gained huge popularity, with over 100 000 members in 2015 and a estimated turnover of 8 million euro in 2015.[34]
^ SSFPA. (2017). Small Scale Food Processor Association. Available: https://www.ssfpa.net/ Accessed: 8th Feb 2017.
^ Ilberry, B., Kneafsey, M., 1999. Niche markets and regional speciality food products in Europe: towards a research agenda. Environment and Planning A. 31, 2207–2222.
^ Renting, H., Marsden, T. & Banks, J. (2003). Understanding alternative food networks: exploring the role of short food supply chains in rural development. Environment and Planning A 2003. 35, 393-411.
^ Guthrie, J., Guthrie, A., Lawson, R. & Cameron, A. (2006). Farmers' markets: the small business counter‐revolution in food production and retailing British Food Journal. 108 (7), 560-573.
^ Murdoch, J. & Miele, M. (1999). ‘Back to Nature’: Changing ‘Worlds of Production’ in the Food Sector. Sociologia ruralis. 39(4), 465-483.
^ Guthrie, J., Guthrie, A., Lawson, R. & Cameron, A. (2006). Farmers' markets: the small business counter‐revolution in food production and retailing British Food Journal. 108 (7), 560-573.
^ Holloway, L., Kneafsey, M., Venn, L., Cox, R., Dowler E. & Tuomainen, H. (2007). Possible Food Economies: a Methodological Framework for Exploring Food Production–Consumption Relationships. Sociologia Ruralis. 47 (1), 1-19.
^ Guthrie, J., Guthrie, A., Lawson, R. & Cameron, A. (2006). Farmers' markets: the small business counter‐revolution in food production and retailing British Food Journal. 108 (7), 560-573.
^ Fraser, E. (2014). Feeding Nine Billion Video 8: The Challenge of Small-Scale Farming in the Developing World Part II. [video] Accessed: 15th Feb 2017.
^ Fraser, E. (2014). Feeding Nine Billion Video 8: The Challenge of Small-Scale Farming in the Developing World Part II. [video] Accessed: 15th Feb 2017.
^ Altieri, M. A. (2009). Agroecology, small farms, and food sovereignty. Monthly review, 61(3), 102.
^ Born, B., & Purcell, M. (2006). Avoiding the local trap: Scale and food systems in planning research. Journal of planning education and research, 26(2), 195-207.
^ Born, B., & Purcell, M. (2006). Avoiding the local trap: Scale and food systems in planning research. Journal of planning education and research, 26(2), 195-207.
^ Born, B., & Purcell, M. (2006). Avoiding the local trap: Scale and food systems in planning research. Journal of planning education and research, 26(2), 195-207.
^ Altieri, M. A. (2009). Agroecology, small farms, and food sovereignty. Monthly review, 61(3), 102.
Definition
Small-scale food production is about producing a limited amount of products on a limited land base [1] without advanced technology[2] and can refer to producing food for own consumption or for supplying others[3] . Small-scale, or artisan food production, as it can be called[4] , is linked to local production [5] [6] , quality or niche food market[7] , alternative food networks [8] and small-scale farmers. Small-scale food production can even be seen as a resistance to the mass production of food [9] [10] .
There is no clear borderline between a small-scale and a middle-scale food producer, however, in the US, as a small-scale farm is considered those with gross cash farm income less than $350,000[11] , whereas the EU says factors such as utilised agricultural area (UAA), the amount of labour input, the level of self-consumption and the economic size of the farm should be considered in order to define a small-scale farm[12] .
Small-scale food production is driven by consumers preferences for better, fresher and more quality products, as well as by closer contact with the producer [13] [14] ). Farmer's markets are the traditional way of retailing food, and are seen as key drivers for the trend of more authentic food produced by small-scale entrepreneurs. The benefits farmers' markets offer to the small-scale food producers are the better economic returns, as the retailers or supermarkets are bypassed[15] .
Challenges related to small-scale food producers
The challenges small-scale food producers face are to some extent the fundamentals of their production. The video below[16] explains that small-scale farmers, especially in the developing world, does not afford modern farming inputs and thus can the whole harvest be destroyed. Further, as a consequence of the economic globalization, access to land becomes harder as international businesses are buying up small-scale farmers land[17] .
Critique
Although small-scale farmers are sometimes criticized for being less productive than large-scale, this may be if looking at total output from a single crop, but not the total output per say according to one study[18] . Another study indicates that no matter the size of the food producers, the outcomes are dependent on the actors and their agendas[19] . Thereby, small-scale food producers are not necessarily any better than large-scale[20] . The "local trap", meaning the believe that locally produced food is automatically better, should however be avoided[21] .
Relation to Sustainable Development Goals
By supporting small-scale food producers, their income increase and thereby also their ability to influence on decision-making, and thus is this concept related to the UN's SDG Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
As one of the targets in the UN's SDG goal 8 is to "encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises", the connection between supporting small-scale food producers and this goal is clear.
Small-scale food production, as it is seen as more sustainable than mass production[22] , is as well related to Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns, specifically to the targets "efficient use of natural resources", "reduce food losses along production and supply chains", "achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals" and "promote public procurement practices that are sustainable".
Innovations
Innovations in small-scale food production, specifically on-farm innovations, are often unrecognized[23] . However, farmers' innovation exist - including usage of traditional knowledge to changing conditions in order to get through emerging new problems, introduction of new varieties/species, all kind of adaptation to climate change and usage of modern technology in various contexts[24] .
The video below [25] shows an example of how innovations in terms of different species turns into practice.
In food processing, companies tend to get more attention towards their innovations. One such company is the Finnish Gold&Green, who in 2015 launched a vegan protein product as a substitute to meat, plant or seafood protein called pulled oat[26] . This product has gained popularity both domestically and abroad[27] .
Examples from Finland
Stockmann, a Finnish retailer, offers various products such as pastry, bread, vegetables, herbs and cheeses from small-scale food producers[28] . As well does the two biggest food retailers in Finland[29] , Kesko and S Group[30] [31] . Kesko for example, does no longer require a small-scale producer to be able to offer a large quantity of products for all of their stores, but can instead deliver a limited quantity for a smaller amount of stores[32] .
An example of a farmers' market in Finland is REKO, a Facebook based platform established in 2013 for consumers to meet small-scale producers, and purchase their products [33] . This has gained huge popularity, with over 100 000 members in 2015 and a estimated turnover of 8 million euro in 2015.[34]
Open Source
Altieri, M. A. (2009). Agroecology, small farms, and food sovereignty. //Monthly review. Vol.// //61// (3), pp. 102.
Conner, D., Colasanti, K., Ross, R. B., & Smalley, S. B. (2010). Locally grown foods and farmers markets: Consumer attitudes and behaviors. //Sustainability//, Vol. //2// (3), pp. 742-756.
Lipton, M. (2006). Can small farmers survive, prosper, or be the key channel to cut mass poverty. //Electronic Journal of Agricultural and Development Economics//, Vol. //3 (//1), pp. 58-85.
External links
Small Scale Food Processor Association
The International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty
Quiz
Quiz created by Simon Vänttinen with GoConqr
http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/food-and-ag-processing/pubs/small-scale-food-report.pdf Accessed: 8th Feb 2017